Valdosta, GA Cost of Living

Valdosta cost of living index

In the event that the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used. Each cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. If the amount is below 100, it is lower than the national average. If the amount is above 100, it is higher than the national average.

Here we can see a simple outline of the cost of living in Valdosta, GA. As you can see, with the average cost of living in Valdosta, GA being 88, that puts it 5% lower than the average of Georgia and 12% lower than our nation's average. This simple outline of the cost of living index was formulated using prices of: goods and services (weighted 33%), housing prices (weighted 30%), groceries (weighted 13%), utilities (weighted 10%), transportation (weighted 9%), and health care (weighted 5%). Thus, goods/services, along with housing influences the majority of the cost of living index. The price of daily goods and services is a valuable and reliable number to be aware of when considering the general price of the city's goods. In the case of Valdosta, GA, the price of goods and services are 2% lower than the average of Georgia as well as 6% lower than the nation's average.

Did you know?

The cost of living in Valdosta is 5% lower than the Georgia average.

The cost of living in Valdosta is 12% lower than the national average.

The cost of housing in Valdosta is 31% lower than the national average.

Compare Valdosta, GA Cost of living To Other Cities

Salary Calculator

I currently make 50,000This is how much you would need to earn in Price difference in compared to

Cost of living index

Goods & Services index

Groceries index

Health care index

Housing index

Transportation index

Utilities index

Using the salary calculator lets you compare the salary you earn in Valdosta, GA to what it is in other cities. It will let you know what your earnings would have to be in another city to have the same standard of living, as determined by the cost of living in each city. For example, if the cost of living in the area you want to move to is higher than the cost of living in Valdosta, GA, you have to earn a higher income in order to still have the same standard of living. To operate the Valdosta, GA salary calculator, put in the name of the other city, then move the slider to the point that represents the current income. The salary calculator will take care of the rest and tell you how much more or less you must earn in the new city. A Total breakdown of the cost of living is also provided.

Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

Median Income

Per Year

Per Month

Max Budget (28% DTI)

Max Budget (36% DTI)

Owners

$51,480

$4,290

$1,201

$1,545

Renters

$22,229

$1,852

$519

$667

If you want to find a good determining factor for the cost of living and the general affordability of housing in Valdosta, GA, all you must look at is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Valdosta, GA, the median monthly income is $51,480 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,201 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $22,229, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $519 on monthly rental expenses.

Georgia Sales Tax

State

General Sales Tax

With Max Surtax

Georgia

4%

8%

Georgia Income Tax

State

Income Tax (Low)

Income Tax (High)

Georgia

1%

6%

When you are determining the total cost of living in Valdosta, GA you will want to make sure you consider both the Georgia sales tax and the Georgia income tax rates. Sales tax come in the form of taxes levied on both services and goods that are sold. The sales tax rates are different state to state and range from zero sales tax to higher than 7%. The sales tax in Georgia is 4%, with the highest surtax being 8%. Tax that is on income by the government is income tax. Different states have different income tax rates and these rates can be higher or lower dependent on the corresponding tax bracket. The state income tax rates are different state to state and range from no income tax to more than 9% income tax. The income tax rates in Georgia have a range from 1% to 6%.

Goods & Services

Item

Valdosta

National avg.

Difference

Haircut

$14.00

$16.03

12.7%

Beauty Salon

$38.28

$37.37

2.4%

Toothpaste

$2.50

$2.44

2.7%

Shampoo

$0.91

$1.00

8.8%

Movie

$10.50

$10.25

2.5%

Bowling

$4.25

$4.94

13.9%

Groceries

Item

Valdosta

National avg.

Difference

Ground Beef

$4.52

$3.79

19.2%

Fried Chicken

$1.47

$1.39

5.9%

Milk

$2.41

$2.00

20.2%

Potatoes

$3.19

$3.00

6.1%

Pizza

$8.66

$9.83

12.0%

Beer

$8.85

$8.88

0.4%

Health Care

Item

Valdosta

National avg.

Difference

Optometrist

$92.83

$101.83

8.8%

Doctor

$110.00

$108.31

1.6%

Dentist

$83.00

$92.21

10.0%

Ibuprofen

$10.18

$9.28

9.7%

Lipitor

$437.49

$424.43

3.1%

Housing

Item

Valdosta

National avg.

Difference

Home Price

$121,000.00

$184,700.00

34.5%

Avg. Mortgage Payment

$1,006.86

$1,201.80

16.2%

Apartment Rent

$732.00

$949.00

22.9%

Transportation

Item

Valdosta

National avg.

Difference

Gasoline

$2.12

$2.24

5.5%

Tire Balancing

$50.88

$46.16

10.2%

Utilities

Item

Valdosta

National avg.

Difference

All Electricity

$154.02

$165.42

6.9%

Phone

$28.67

$28.71

0.1%

Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.